Condensed tannins (CT) of the species maniçoba (Manihot pseudoglaziovii), flor-de-seda (Calotropis procera), feijão-bravo (Capparis flexuosa) and jureminha (Desmanthus virgatus) were characterized and the chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of those species were determined. Concentration of soluble tannin (ST), bound tannin (BT) and total tannin (TT) of the plants was determined using butanol-HCL method; astringency was determined, using radial diffusion method, and the IVDMD was determined using two-stages method. Concentration and astringency of condensed tannins varied between species (P<0.01). Jureminha was the species that presented the highest value (2.4% TT and 13.7-3 astringency). No tannins were detected in flor-de-seda. Crude protein was higher than 16% in all studied species, and the ADF and lignin values were lower than 39 and 15%, respectively. The IVDMD was low in jureminha (43%) and high in flor-de-seda (80%). The correlation between IVDMD and TT was low (r²=0.097).
Brazilian Northeastern; native forages; astringency; anti-nutritional factor; proantocyanidin; ruminant
